Jukon-class
Combat submarine used by the Principality of Zeon.
The Jukon-class was a line of combat submarines operated by the Principality of Zeon. Originally designed as the Juneau-class by the Earth Federation Forces, these vessels were captured and modified by Zeon forces during their invasion of Earth in UC 0079.
History
During the early stages of the One Year War, Zeon forces captured several Earth Federation Juneau-class submarines. These vessels were subsequently modified to serve as mobile suit carriers, becoming the Jukon-class submarines.
The Jukon-class submarines played a crucial role in Zeon’s underwater operations throughout the war. Notable deployments included the U-99’s mission supporting the Cyclops Team’s assault on the Federation’s Arctic Base, and the U-801’s operations along the Australian coast.
Even after Zeon’s defeat, some Jukon-class vessels remained in service with Zeon Remnants as late as UC 0096.
Design
The Jukon-class was based on the Federation’s Juneau-class design, with significant modifications to accommodate mobile suits. The most notable change was the enlargement of the hull and the conversion of former missile silos into mobile suit hangars.
The submarine could carry up to four mobile suits — typically three aquatic mobile suits and one MSM-03 Gogg for reconnaissance and communication. Some later production models were modified to accommodate additional mobile suits.
To compensate for the increased weight from its modifications, the submarine’s propulsion system was upgraded with more powerful engines and propellers.
Armaments
The Jukon-class retained much of the original Juneau-class weaponry, though some missile silos were removed to make space for mobile suits.
3-tube missile launcher
Three triple missile launchers were mounted on the submarine’s hull. These launchers could be used for ship-to-ship combat, shore bombardment, and as a last-resort defence against enemy mobile suits.
Torpedo launcher
The submarine was equipped with torpedo tubes for underwater combat against enemy vessels.
Mobile suit complement
The standard Jukon-class could carry up to four mobile suits in its hangar. While it lacked catapults, it could deploy its mobile suits through dedicated launch bays.
Ships and captains
- Unnamed ship captained by Flanagan Boone
- U-202 captained by Erich Hartmann
- U-801 captained by Dreiser
Ships of the line
- U-99 (refit)
- U-202
- U-801 (refit)
Behind the scenes
Tomino Yoshiyuki was the principal mechanical designer, with Okawara Kunio assisting with design refinements. Izubuchi Yutaka later contributed to the design for Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket.
External links
- Jukon-class on the Gundam Wiki
- Jukon-class on MAHQ